Devdutt Padikkal has officially joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru elite, becoming only the second Indian after Virat Kohli to cross the 1000-run mark for the franchise in the IPL. The stylish southpaw achieved the milestone during RCB’s thumping nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur on Sunday.
Padikkal, who returned to RCB this season after stints with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, played a composed 40* to help seal a commanding chase of 174. In doing so, he lifted his tally to 1,003 runs in 35 innings at an average of 30.39 and a strike rate of 126.64.
The only other Indian batter to have breached that mark for RCB is Virat Kohli. The former skipper and IPL legend continues to tower over the league with 8252 runs in 258 matches, boasting a formidable average of 39.10 with 58 half-centuries and eight centuries.
While Padikkal provided the finishing touch, it was Philip Salt who lit up the powerplay, tearing into Rajasthan’s bowlers with ruthless intent. Kohli held firm at the other end, guiding the innings with calm assurance as RCB wrapped up the chase with ease.
For Padikkal, this homecoming couldn’t have been sweeter — a match-winning knock and a place in the record books.
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